Process for the stereoregular polymerization of alpha olefins

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a process for the stereoregular polymerization of alpha olefins or mixtures thereof with ethylene, conducted in the presence of highly active and stereospecific new catalysts. The catalysts are obtained from the reaction of a particular Al-alkyl compound which is at least in part in the form of a complex and/or a substitution reaction product with an ester of an oxygenated organic or inorganic acid, with a supported component characterized by having surface area exceeding certain values or by showing a particular X-rays spectrum, and obtained by contacting a Ti halogenated compound, preferably in the form of a complex with an electron-donor compound, with a support comprising a Mg or Mn bihalide. 
     In the catalysts the ratio between the Ti compound, expressed in Ti g-atoms, and the g moles of the ester and the electron-donor compound, when present, is lower than 0.3.

This application is a continuation of our application Ser. No. 593,992 filed July 8, 1975 (now abandoned), which was a division of our application Ser. No. 503,766 filed Sept. 6, 1974 (now abandoned) and in its turn a continuation of our application Ser. No. 265,455 filed June 23, 1972 (now abandoned).

THE PRIOR ART

Highly active supported catalysts suitable for the olefin polymerization and obtained from metallorganic compounds of the metals of the I, II and III Group of the Periodic System and Ti compounds supported on Mg or Mn dihalides present in an active form have been disclosed for instance in Belgian Pat. Nos. 742,003, 742,112 and 754,152.

These catalysts are highly active in the polymerization of ethylene. When the catalysts are used for polymerizing alpha-olefins, in particular propylene, they produce predominantly amorphous atactic polymers.

It is known that the activity and/or stereospecificity of Ziegler and Ziegler-Natta catalysts can be modified by adding to the catalysts certain Lewis bases.

Generally the Lewis bases are used in the form of complexes with the Ti compound. However catalysts are known in which the base can be used in an amount as high as to reach a 1:1 molar ratio with the Al compound.

When the polymerization of propylene is carried out with supported catalysts of the type described in the above mentioned Belgian patents, wherein the Ti compound is used in the form of a complex with a Lewis base, the stereospecificity of the catalyst is increased but the amount of the amorphous polymer is still too high. The thus modified supported catalysts do not find in practice any application in the polymerization of alpha-olefins.

In the Ziegler and Ziegler-Natta catalysts the molar ratio Al:Ti generally is not higher than 5-10:1. The preferred values range from 3:1 to 1:1.

When the ratios become as high as the ratios used in the supported catalysts wherein the amount of the Ti compound is very small in comparison with the Al-alkyl compound, the addition to the catalysts of a Lewis base has the effect of drastically lowering the activity of the catalysts.

From the above outlined behaviour of the Ziegler and Ziegler-Natta catalysts modified with Lewis bases one would have expected that the sole way for obtaining supported catalysts still active and endowed with a certain stereospecificity was to use the Ti compounds in the form of a complex with a Lewis base.

THE PRESENT INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide a process for the production with high yield of prevailingly isotactic polymers of alpha-olefins CH₂ =CHR, wherein R is an alkyl radical containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a process for the production with high yield of prevailingly isotactic polymers of propylene.

A further object is to provide a process for the production of prevailingly isotactic polymers of propylene having satisfactory impact resistance at low temperatures and containing 1-20% by weight of polymerized ethylene.

These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention in accordance with which the polymerization of the alpha-olefins and mixtures thereof with minor proportions of ethylene is conducted in the presence of the new catalysts herebelow disclosed. As peculiar characteristic these new catalysts associate very high activity with a remarkable stereospecificity.

Owing to this characteristic and in particular to the fact that the activity of the catalysts is not remarkably reduced by the presence of hydrogen as molecular weight regulator during the polymerization process, the new catalysts permit to avoid or at least to considerably simplify the onerous treatments hitherto necessary for purifying the polymers from the catalyst residues.

The catalysts used in the process of this invention are the product of the reaction between:

a. the addition and/or substitution reaction product of an electron donor compound (or Lewis base) selected from the group of the esters of the oxygenated organic and inorganic acids with an Al-trialkyl compound or with an Al-alkyl compound containing two or more Al atoms linked together through an oxygen or a nitrogen atom, the reaction product (a) being characterized in that the Al-organic compound present in combined form with the ester is comprised within the range from 0.05 to 1 mole per mole of the starting Al-compound.

b. the product formed from the contact of a halogenated compound of bi, tri or tetravalent Ti, preferably in the form of an addition compound with an electron-donor compound, with a support formed of or comprising an anhydrous bihalide of Mg or Mn, the support and the component (b) being characterized in that they have surface area exceeding 3m² /g or the component (b) being characterized in that in its X-rays powder spectrum the most intense diffraction lines characteristic of the X-rays powder spectrum of the normal, non-activated Mg and Mn bihalides, are broadened and the component (b) being further characterized in that the amount of the Ti-compound therein present, expressed as Ti metal, is less than 0.3 g atom per mole of the total amount of the electron-donor compound present in a combined form in the catalyst.

By the expression "addition or substitution reaction product" of the electron-donor compound indicated sub (a) with the Al-alkyl compound it is intended the product formed of or comprising a complex of the electron-donor compound with the Al-alkyl compound. Any electron-donor compound of the class of the esters of the oxygenated organic and inorganic acids is suitable to prepare the component (a) of the catalysts.

Examples of esters which can be used are: esters of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic mono and polycarboxylic acids; esters of chet alkoxy or amino acids; esters of inorganic acid like carbonic, phosphorous, sulphuric, phosphoric and silicic acids.

Examples of specific compounds are: ethylbenzoate, methylbenzoate, ethyl-p-methoxybenzoate, ethyl-p-n-butylbenzoate, ethyl-p-chlorobenzoate, ethyly-p-n.butoxybenzoate, isobutylbenzoate, ethyl-p-methylbenzoate, ethylacetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl-alpha-naphthoate, ethylcyclohexanoate, ethyl pivalate, ethyl N,N-diethyl-carbamate, diethyl carbonate, diethylsulphate, dimethylmaleate, ethylbenzensulfonate.

The most interesting results both with respect to activity and stereospecificity of the catalyst, are obtained with the esters of the aromatic acids like: ethylbenzoate, ethyl-p-methoxybenzoate; ethyl alpha naphthoate.

The preferred molar ratio ester/Al organic compound in component (a) is lower than 1; in general it ranges from 0.3 to 0.5.

The following Al-trialkyl compounds are particularly suited for preparing component (a):

Al(C₂ H₅)₃ ; Al(CH₃)₃ ; Al(nC₃ H₇)₃ and Al(iC₄ H₉)₃.

Examples of other Al-trialkyls are: ##STR1##

The metallorganic compounds which contain two or more Al atoms linked through an O or N atom are obtained by reaction of an Al-trialkyl compound with water, ammonia or a primary amine, according to known methods.

Examples of such compounds are: ##STR2##

The component (a) of the catalyst can be obtained by several methods. The preferred one consists in prereacting the ester with the Al-organic compound in the adequate molar ratio before contacting component (b).

The starting molar ratio ester/Al-organic compound varies in general from 0.05 to 1.

Another adequate method for preparing the component (a), which at the same time permits to obtain the Mg and Mn halide in an active form suited to prepare the catalysts according to this invention, consists in reacting an addition compound between the Mg or Mn halide and an ester of oxygenated organic and inorganic acids with an Al-trialkyl employed in such a quantity that the Al-trialkyl/ester molar ratio is higher than 1.

According to another method, component (a) is formed in situ by reacting the Al-trialkyl compound with the component (b) and then adding the ester in the quantity suited to form the component (a).

The electron donor compounds, which can be employed for preparing the component (b) can be the same ester as those already indicated for the preparation of component (a) or a different compound. Also in this case any electron-donor compound capable of giving complexes with the halogenated Ti compound are suitable to prepare component (b).

Examples of electron-donor compounds are:

N,n,n',n'-tetramethylethylendiamine: veratrol, ethyl benzoate, acetone, 2,5-hexanedione, dimethylmaleate, dimethylmalonate, tetrahydrofurfurylmethylether, nitrobenzene, diethyl carbonate, acetophenone, 1,2,4-trimethyl piperazine, ethyl acetate. The diamines and the esters of oxygenated organic and inorganic acids resulted as particularly suitable both with respect to the activity and stereospecificity of the catalyst.

The Ti compounds which can be employed include any halogenated compound of bi, tri and tetravalent Ti.

Examples of such compounds are TiCl₄, TiCl₃, TiI₄,Ti(OC₃ H₇)Cl₃, Ti(OC₄ H₉)₂ Cl₂,3TiCl₃.AlCl₃, Ti[O--C(CH₃)=CH--CO--CH₃ ]₂ Cl₂, Ti[N(C₂ H₅)₂ ]Cl₃, Ti[N(C₆ H₅)₂ ]Cl₃, Ti(C₆ H₅ COO)Cl₃, [N(C₄ H₉)₄ ]2TiCl₆, [N(CH₃)₄ ]Ti₂ Cl₉, TiBr₄, TiBr₄, TiCl₃ OSO₂ C₆ H₅, LiTi(OC₃ H₇)₂ Cl₃.

The catalyst component (b) may also be prepared according to various methods.

One of these, which is also the preferred one, consists in contacting the Mg or Mn halide, which can be present in a preactivated form, with the Ti compound previously complexed with the base and carrying out the contact under conditions at which the resulting product has surface area higher than 3m² /g and/or its X-rays spectrum shows a broadening of the most intense diffraction lines characteristic of the normal non-activated Mg and Mn bihalides. This can be obtained e.g. by dry milling the support in the presence of the Ti compound.

Good results are also obtained by simply mixing the Ti compound with preactivated Mg or Mn bihalides having surface area exceeding 3 m² /g.

Another method, which allows to form the Ti complex with an ester "in situ", consists in adding the ester suitable to form component (a) either before or after the addition of the Al-alkyl to the previously supported Ti compound. Example of Ti addition compounds are: TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ ; TiCl₄.2C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ ; TiCl₄.pCH₃ OC₆ H₄ COOC₂ H₅ ; TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ NO₂ ; TiCl₃.(CH₃)₂ N(CH₂)₂ N(CH₃)₂ ; TiCl₄.(CH₃)₂ N(CH₂)₂ N(CH₃)₂,TiCl₄.→→CH₃ COC₂ H₅ ; TiCl₄.2C₄ H₈ O; TiCl₃.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅.

The quantity of Ti compounds present on the support is generally comprised between 0.1 and 10% by weight expressed as Ti metal. The quantity of Ti compound present in the catalyst expressed as Ti metal is less than 0.3 g-atom per mole of the total amount of electron donor-compound present in combined form in the catalyst; preferably said quantity is less than 0.1-g-atoms and more particularly it is comprised between 0.05 and 0.005 g-atoms. The Al/Ti molar ratio is generally comprised between 10 and 1000. For Mg and Mn bihalide in active form it is intended the bihalides having surface area exceeding 3 m² /g and/or the bihalides the X-rays powder spectrum of which shows a broadening of the most intense diffraction lines characteristic of the normal non-activated Mg and Mn bihalides.

The Mg and Mn bihalides in the active form may be prepared according to various methods.

An adequate method consists in dissolving the halides in alcohols, ethers or other organic solvents and in removing subsequently the larger portion of the solvent by fast evaporation and then completing the removal under reduced pressure and at temperatures generally in excess of 100° C. and comprised in particular between 150° and 500° C.

Activated forms of Mg and Mn halides can be obtained also by very fine milling and in general by any other physical method in which the particles of the support are subjected to the action of friction and/or shearing forces.

Another method consists in reacting a hydrated Mg or Mn halide with an Al-trialkyl compound, in particular Al-triisobutyl in a molar ratio of Al-trialkyl/H₂ O present in the metal halide equal to or higher than 2.

The preferred method for activating the Mg and Mn halide consists in milling the non-activated Mg or Mn halide, operating according to known technologies.

The milling is preferably effected in a ball-mill, in the dry state, in the absence of inert diluents. Anhydrous compounds of elements of the Ist, IInd, IIIrd and IVth group of the periodic system may be added to Mg or Mn halides without substantially reducing the activity of the catalyst obtainable therefrom, but with the advantage of diminishing or even annulling the negative effects of the high chloride contents in the polymer.

In order to avoid any substantial alteration in the catalyst activity, the above said anhydrous compounds of the Ist, IInd, IIIrd and IVth group must not substantially interact with the Mg and Mn halides.

Typical examples of the above said compounds which may be employed are:

LiCl, CaCO₃, CaCl₂, SrCl₂, BaCl₂, Na₂ SO₄, Na₂ CO₃, TiO₂, Na₂ B₄ O₇, Ca₃ (PO₄)₂, CaSO₄, BaCO₃, Al₂ (SO₄)₃, B₂ O₃, Al₂ O₃, SiO₂, etc.

The quantity of these substances, which can be incorporated into the Mg and Mn anhydrous halide, without substantially altering the activity of the catalyst obtained therefrom, may vary in a broad interval which may e.g. range from 30 to 90% by weight. As already indicated, the surface area of the support consisting of or comprising the activated anhydrous bihalide of Mg and Mn is larger than 3 m² /g.

Good results have been obtained with surface area ranging from 20 to 30 m² /g.

It has been found, and this constitutes another aspect of the process of this invention, that the polymerization of propylene can be carried out in liquid phase in the substantial absence of inert diluents without appreciably reducing the isotacticity index of the obtained polymer. This result is unexpected and surprising since operating with catalysts supported on MgCl₂ in which only the Ti compound is used in form of a complex the stereospecificity of the catalyst is remarkably reduced when the polymerization is conducted in liquid propylene.

The use of liquid propylene permits on the other hand with respect to the process carried out in presence of an inert diluent to considerably increase the polymerization rate, with a resulting higher hourly output of the polymerization reactors.

The conditions under which the polymerization of the alpha-olefins with the aid of these new catalysts is conducted are those known in the art. The polymerization is carried out at temperatures ranging from -80° C. to 150° C., preferably from 40° C. to 100° C., operating with partial pressures of the alpha-olefins higher than the atmospheric pressure. The polymerization can be carried out both in liquid phase in the presence, or in the absence of an inert diluent, or in the gas phase. The alpha-olefins comprise in general olefins CH₂ ═CHR in which R is an alkyl radical containing 1-6 C. Propylene, butene-1, 4-methylpentene-1 are examples of alpha-olefins. As herebefore indicated the process can be used to polymerize mixtures of alpha olefins with minor proportions of ethylene.

Examples of inert diluents are the C₄ -C₈ aliphatic hydrocarbons examples of which are n-hexane, n-heptane, the cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons like cyclohexane and the aromatic ones such as benzene; toluene, xylene.

The production of prevailingly isotactic polypropylene having satisfactory impact resistance at low temperatures and containing from 1 to 20% by weight of polymerized ethylene is also carried out according to known methods.

According to such methods propylene is either polymerized in presence of small amounts of ethylene fed continuously or intermittently into the reactor or ethylene is polymerized after conversion of propylene into polypropylene of at least 80% is reached.

The regulation of the molecular weight of the polymer during the polymerization is also carried out according to known methods, operating e.g. in the presence of alkyl halides, Zn or Cd organometallic compounds, or hydrogen. As already mentioned the presence of hydrogen as molecular weight regulator in the process according to this invention does not appreciably reduce the activity and/or stereospecificity of the catalysts.

The invention is explained by the following examples given only to illustrate and not to limit same. Unless otherwise specified, the percentages mentioned in the examples are expressed by weight; the inherent viscosity of the polymer η_(in) was measured in tetralin at 135° C., using concentrations of 0.25 g polymer in 100 cm³ solvent.

EXAMPLE 1

11.777 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.7924 g of the complex TiCl₄.

(CH₃)₂ N--CH₂ CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂ are milled in a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill (length 100 mm, diameter 50 mm) containing 550 g steel balls having a diameter of 9.5 mm. The surface area of the milled product was 8 m² /g. 0.7697 g of the thus milled mixture (having a Ti content of 0.993 by weight) are suspended in the solution (previously prepared at room temperature and maintained at this temperature for 10') of 0.82 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.316 g ethyl benzoate in 50 cm³ anhydrous and deareated n-heptane, and the thus obtained suspension is injected under pressure of dry argon, into a stainless steel autoclave having a 3 l capacity, provided with magnetic stirring, heated to the temperature of 65° and containing 900 g anhydrous propylene. Stirring is discontinued after 6 hours, the unpolymerized propylene is discharged and a white, pulverulent product is removed from the autoclave which, after drying, amounts to 228 g corresponding to a yield of 30,000 g polymer per gram of titanium employed. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 93.5%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=5.08 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 2

8.86 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.699 g of the complex TiCl₄.

C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled under a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill, as described in example 1. The surface area of the milled product was 32 m² /g. The X-rays spectrum of the product showed a broadening of the most intense diffraction lines characteristic of MgCl₂.

0.1507 g of the thus obtained mixture (having a Ti content of 1.03% by weight) are suspended in the solution (previously prepared at room temperature and maintained at this temperature for 5') of 0.655 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.252 g ethyl benzoate in 50 cm³ anhydrous n-heptane and the thus obtained suspension is injected under pressure of dry argon, into a stainless steel autoclave having a 2 l capacity provided with magnetic stirrer heated to a temperature of 65° C. and containing 500 g anhydrous propylene.

After 6 h, stirring is discontinued, the unpolymerized propylene is discharged and a white pulverulent product is removed from the autoclave which, after drying, amounts to 112 g, corresponding to a yield of 72,300 g polymer per g of Ti employed.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 92.2%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=3.68 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 3

9.51 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.74 g of the 1:1 molar complex between TiCl₄ and veratrol are milled in a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill as described in example 1.

Using 124.7 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, 70 g polypropylene are obtained which correspond to a yield of 53,000 g polymer per gram of titanium employed.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 74%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=4.42 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 4

10.1 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.62 g of the 1:1 molar complex between TiCl₄ and tetrahydrofurfuryl methylether are milled under a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill as described in example 1.

Using 196.5 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, 70 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 37,600 g polymer per gram of titanium employed. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 77.3%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 4.9 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 5

9.62 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.65 g of the complex TiCl₄.CH₃ --CO--CH₂ --CH₂ --CO--CH₃ are milled under a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill as described in example 1.

Using 135.3 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, 33 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 24,400 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 84.7%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.82 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 6

9.33 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.65 g of the complex TiCl₄.2CH₃ --CO--CH₃ are milled under a nitrogen atmosphere in a glass mill as described in example 1.

Using 169 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2,88 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 51,000 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 85.3%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=3.7 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 7

8.95 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.67 g of the 1:1 in moles complex between TiCl₄ and dimethyl maleate are milled under a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill as described in example 1. Using 147.4 mg of the thus obtained mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions of example 2, 34 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 23,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 85.2%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 4.18 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 8

9.59 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.67 g of the 1:1 in moles complex between TiCl₄ and nitrobenzene are milled under a nitrogen atmosphere in a glass mill as described in example 1.

Using 196.8 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, 64 g polymer are obtained after 5 hours, which correspond to a yield of 32,500 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 85.4%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.72 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 9

10.66 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.69 g of the 1:1 in moles complex between TiCl₄ and diethyl carbonate were milled under a nitrogen atmosphere, for 16 hours, in a glass mill as described in example 1. Using 164.6 mg of the thus prepared mixture, and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2 after 5 hours, 222 g of polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 142,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 82.6%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.54 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 10

10.57 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.45 g TiCl₄ are milled together under the conditions described in example 1.

131.4 mg of the thus obtained mixture are suspended in 50 cm³ n-heptane and to the thus obtained suspension there are added successively 0.655 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.252 g ethyl benzoate.

After 5 minutes the thus prepared heptane suspension is injected under pressure of dry argon into a stainless steel autoclave having a 2 l capacity, heated to a temperature of 65° C. and containing 500 g anhydrous propylene. After 6 hours, stirring is discontinued and 80 g polymer are separated from the mixture, in the way described in example 2, which correspond to a yield of 59,300 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 82.1%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.72 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 11

Example 10 was repeated using 160.9 mg of the product obtained by milling together MgCl₂ and TiCl₄ and inverting the order of addition of aluminum triethyl and ethyl benzoate.

74 g of polymer are thus obtained, which correspond to a yield of 44,600 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 83%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.32 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 12

4.99 g anhydrous MgBr₂ and 0.40 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled together under the conditions described in example 1.

Using 144 mg of the thus obtained mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2 after 5 hours polymerization 178 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 118,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 82%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 2.88 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 13

30 g anhydrous MnCl₂ are dissolved in 100 cm³, anhydrous ethanol. A powder having a specific area of 22 m² /g is obtained by fast evaporation of the alcohol and subsequent drying at 300° C., under reduced pressure of 0.1 mm Hg.

7.96 g of the thus obtained product and 0.685 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled together for 40 hours, under the conditions described in example 1.

Using 170.3 mg of the thus prepared product and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, after 5 hours polymerization, 64 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 33,500 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 74.3%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 2.5 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 14

8.47 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 1.37 g ethyl benzoate are milled as described in example 1 for 16 hours. After said period of time, 1.188 g of the complex TiCl₄.2C₆ COOC₂ H₅ is introduced into the mill and is milled for another 16 hours.

The X-rays spectrum of the milled product shows a broadening of the most intense diffraction lines characteristic of the X-rays spectrum of MgCl₂.

0.4116 g of the thus obtained mixture (having a Ti content of 1.05% by weight) are suspended in the solution of 0.82 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.241 g C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ in 50 cm³ anhydrous n-heptane. The thus obtained suspension is injected under pressure of dry argon into a stainless steel autoclave, having a 3 l capacity provided with magnetic stirring, heated to the temperature of 65° C. and containing 900 g anhydrous propylene.

After 5 hours polymerization, 315 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 73,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 85.5%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=3.7 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 15

4.2 g anhydrous MgCl₂, 3.23 g anhydrous Na₂ CO₃ and 0.63 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled together under a nitrogen atmosphere, for 40 hours, under the conditions described in example 1. The X-rays spectrum of the milled product shows a broadening of the most intense diffraction lines of MgCl₂.

Using 172.9 mg of the thus prepared mixture (having a Ti content of 1.1% by weight) and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2 after 5 hours, 232 g polymer are obtained, which correspond to a yield of 122,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 87.4%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=3.86 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 16

8.75 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.76 g of the 1:1 molar complex between TiCl₄ and dimethyl phthalate were milled together under a nitrogen atmosphere for 16 hours in a glass mill as described in example 1. Using 155.8 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2 after 5 hours, 58 g polymer are obtained which correpond to a yield of 37,100 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 87.5%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.5 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 17

9.35 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.67 g of the complex TiCl₄.

CH₃ COOC₂ H₅ were milled together as described in example 1. Using 139.2 mg of the thus prepared mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2 after 5 hours reaction, 154 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 96,800 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 85.5%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.94 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 18

10.38 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.75 g of the 1:1 molar complex between TiCl₄ and diethyl malonate are milled together as described in example 1.

Using 0.5756 g of the thus obtained mixture and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 1, after 5 hours polymerization, 243 g polypropylene are obtained, which correspond to a yield of 47,500 g/g Ti. The residue of the extraction with boiling n-heptane amounts to 75%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=3.64 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 19

4.94 g anhydrous MgCl₂, 4.57 g anhydrous CaSO₄ and 0.92 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled together, in a nitrogen atmosphere for 40 hours under the conditions described in example 1.

Using 127.3 mg of the thus prepared mixture (having a titanium content of 1.25% by weight) and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2 after 5 hours reaction, 314 g polypropylene are obtained which correspond to a yield of 197,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 80%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=3.4 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 20

3.82 g anhydrous MgCl₂, 3.68 g anhydrous CaCO₃ and 0.80 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled together in a nitrogen atmosphere, for 40 hours under the conditions described in example 1.

Using 166.9 mg of the thus prepared mixture (having a Ti content of 1.37% by weight), and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, after 5 hours polymerization, 244 g polypropylene are obtained, which correspond to a yield of 106,500 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 83.8%.

EXAMPLE 21

2.90 g anhydrous MgCl₂, 4 g anhydrous Na₂ SO₄ and 0.73 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled together in a nitrogen atmosphere, for 40 hours under the conditions described in example 1.

Using 137.2 mg of the thus prepared mixture (having a Ti content of 1.36% by weight) and polymerizing propylene under the conditions described in example 2, after 5 hours polymerization, 76 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 40,000 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 78.8%.

EXAMPLE 22

9.52 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.42 g TiCl₃ N(C₂ H₅)₂ are milled together in a nitrogen atmosphere for 64 hours, under the conditions described in example 1.

0.366 g of the thus prepared mixture (having a Ti content of 0.89%), are suspended in the solution of 0.82 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.264 g ethyl benzoate in 50 cm³ anhydrous and de-aerated n-heptane. The thus obtained suspension in injected under pressure of dry argon, into stainless steel autoclave having a 1 liter capacity heated to a temperature of 65° C. and containing 310 g anhydrous propylene. After 5 hours polymerization, 98 g polymer are obtained which correspond to a yield of 30,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue of 70.5%.

EXAMPLE 23

11.777 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.7924 g of the complex TiCl₄ (CH₃)₂ --N--CH₂ --CH₂ --N(CH₃)₂ are milled together as described in example 1.

0.2256 g of the thus obtained mixture (having a titanium content of 0.993% by weight) are suspended in the solution of 0.655 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.252 g C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ in 50 cm³ anhydrous n-heptane. The thus obtained mixture is introduced into a glass flask having a 1 l. capacity, provided with a stirrer and containing 330 g 4 methyl-pentene-1. The whole is stirred and heated to a temperature of 54° for 8 hours.

The polymerization is then discontinued and 26 g polymer are separated, which correspond to a yield of 11,520 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling ethyl ether gave a residue of 80%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=4.85 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 24

The complex MgCl₂.pCH₃ OC₆ H₄ --COOC₂ H₅ is reacted at 40° C. for 20 hours with an excess of Al(C₂ H₅)₃ dissolved in n-heptane; the insoluble product is filtered, suspended again in a solution of Al(C₂ H₅)₃ filtered and accurately washed with n-heptane and dried. 1.0955 of the thus obtained product are suspended in 15 cm³ toluene containing 0.1113 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅.

This mixture is maintained under agitation for 16 hours at room temperature; afterward the solvent is removed under vacuum. 0.450 g of the thus obtained product (containing 1.23% by weight of Ti) are employed for the preparation of the catalyst and polymerization of propylene according to example 25 herebelow.

180 g polymer are obtained, which gave a residue to the extraction with boiling n-heptane=91.5%.

EXAMPLE 25

8.38 g of a mixture of 4.19 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 4.19 g anhydrous B₂ O₃ milled in a ball mill and 2.34 g of the molar complex TiCl₄. ethyl benzoate are milled together in a nitrogen atmosphere for 110 hours.

0.1164 g of the thus prepared mixture having a Ti-content of 3.08% by weight are suspended in a solution of 0.82 g Al-triethyl and 0.489 g p.methoxy ethyl benzoate in 50 cm³ anhydrous and deareated n-heptane and the thus obtained suspension is injected under pressure of dry argon into a stainless steel autoclave having 3 l capacity, provided with a magnetic stirrer heated to 65° C. and containing 850 g anhydrous propylene and 2 l hydrogen measured at normal conditions.

After 5 hours of polymerization the unpolymerized propylene is separated and a white pulverulent product is obtained which after drying, amounts to 415 g, corresponding to a yield of 115,000 g polymer per gram of titanium. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gave a residue 89.5%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is=2.09 dl/g.

EXAMPLES 26-55

In table 1 are given the results of some examples of polymerization of propylene conducted under the conditions as described in example 2 but replacing ethylbenzoate complexed with the Al-triethyl by ethyl-p-methoxy benzoate and replacing ethyl benzoate complexed with TiCl₄ by the electron-donor compounds indicated in table 1.

The polymerization time was 5 hours.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                            Residue                                                     supported    yield in boil-                           Electron-donor compound used in                                                                    Ti % cat. com-                                                                            p-methoxy                                                                             g poly-                                                                              ing n-                  Example                                                                              MgCl.sub.2                                                                          1:1 molar complexes with TiCl.sub.4                                                                weight                                                                              ponent.sup.(b)                                                                       benzoate/Al                                                                           mer/g heptane                                                                             η in           No.   g    g                   .sup.(a)                                                                            g     molar ratio                                                                           Ti    %    dl/g               __________________________________________________________________________     26    11.06                                                                               0.826                                                                             ethyl benzoate    0.995                                                                              0.1286                                                                               0.39   53,100                                                                               91.2 4.54               27    10.65                                                                               0.81                                                                              methyl-otoluate  1.01 0.1210                                                                               0.35   114,500                                                                              89.7 4.22               28    8.54 0.89                                                                              t.butyl-p-anisate                                                                               1.43 0.1309                                                                               0.39   46,500                                                                               89.5 4.2                29    10.49                                                                               0.70                                                                              ethyl p-toluate  0.88 0.1204                                                                               0.39   94,400                                                                               90.8 4.68               30    5.96 0.55                                                                              coumarin         1.20 0.1190                                                                               0.39   117,000                                                                              88.0 3.62               31    9.83 0.68                                                                              ethyl p-anisate   0.835                                                                              0.1214                                                                               0.40   127,000                                                                              89.8 4.54               32    12.60                                                                               0.89                                                                              ethyl cinnamate  0.86 0.1554                                                                               0.39   113,500                                                                              88.6 4.10               33    14.93                                                                               0.42                                                                              ethyl NN diethylaminoacetate                                                                    0.45 0.3443                                                                               0.39   58,000                                                                               90.0 4.2                34    10.92                                                                               0.81                                                                              ethyl-2-furoate  1.04 0.1417                                                                               0.39   102,100                                                                              89.1 4.06               35    8.89 0.40                                                                              γ-butyrolactone                                                                           0.75 0.1330                                                                               0.39   50,000                                                                                89.4                                                                               3.72               36    8.49 0.58                                                                              t-butyl pivalate 1.06 0.1408                                                                               0.39   22,100                                                                               90.0 4.48               37    9.30 0.66                                                                              ethyl pivalate   1.02 0.1431                                                                               0.39   118,500                                                                              89.8 4.32               38    11.45                                                                               0.84                                                                              ε-caprolactam                                                                           1.07 0.1540                                                                               0.39   44,800                                                                               91.1 4.28               39    12.40                                                                               1.03                                                                              phthalide        1.10 0.1118                                                                               0.39   56,900                                                                               88.2 3.68               40    9.77 1.03                                                                              ethyl p-anisate.sup.(c)                                                                         0.81 0.1233                                                                               0.39   181,000                                                                              89.0 4.42               41    9.71 1.19                                                                              2-ethoxy-ethyl-p-anisate                                                                        1.28 0.1110                                                                               0.39   40,000                                                                               91.2 4.80               42    11.54                                                                               0.83                                                                              ethyl-p-butoxy benzoate                                                                          0.805                                                                              0.2281                                                                               0.39   99,500                                                                               89.5 4.52               43    9.98 0.88                                                                              ethyl 3.5-dimethylbenzoate                                                                      1.08 0.1528                                                                               0.39   103,000                                                                              89.8 4.53               44    10.59                                                                               0.79                                                                              ethyl p-isopropoxy benzoate                                                                     0.88 0.1515                                                                               0.39   68,500                                                                               88.6 4.26               45    9.16 0.73                                                                              ethyl p-t-butyl benzoate                                                                        0.91 0.1285                                                                               0.39   119,700                                                                              89.0 4.56               46    9.83 1.01                                                                              ethyl p-phenylbenzoate                                                                          1.09 0.1510                                                                               0.39   66,000                                                                               91.3 4.61               47    11.52                                                                               0.9                                                                               methyl p-anisate 1.00 0.1690                                                                               0.39   59,500                                                                               90.5 4.32               48    9.2  0.84                                                                              ethyl p-acetoxybenzoate                                                                         0.93 0.1270                                                                               0.39   62,700                                                                               89.2 4.11               49    8.50 0.74                                                                              triphenylphosphine                                                                               0.975                                                                              0.1750                                                                               0.39   51,600                                                                               89.8 4.53               50    11.48                                                                               0.85                                                                              N,N diethyl p-anisamide                                                                         0.91 0.1289                                                                               0.39   35,000                                                                               90.3 4.20               51    8.90 0.82                                                                              phosphorous oxychloride                                                                         1.23 0.1160                                                                               0.39   117,000                                                                              87.5 4.06               52    10.28                                                                               0.58                                                                              oxathiane        0.89 0.2361                                                                               0.39   59,500                                                                               85.7 3.98               53    11.73                                                                               0.87                                                                              isoquinoline      0.975                                                                              0.1189                                                                               0.39   50,000                                                                               89.4 4.32               54    9.16 0.83                                                                              2-ethoxyethyl-pivalate                                                                          1.04 0.1012                                                                               0.39   46,700                                                                               89.4 4.78               55    8.82 0.96                                                                              diphenylsulphone 1.15 0.1431                                                                               0.39   50,000                                                                               89.3 4.27               __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.(a) determined by analysis                                                .sup.(b) milled for 16 hours                                                   .sup.(c) milled for 48 hours; 1:2 molar complex TiCl.sub.4                     -ethyl-p-methoxybenzoate.                                                

EXAMPLE 56

11.8704 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.28 ml TiCl₄ are milled for 16 hours as described in example 1.

0.2043 g of the so obtained mixture, containing 0.99% titanium, are suspended in a solution of 0.82 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.489 g ethyl-p-methoxy benzoate in 50 ml n-heptane, and the resulting suspension is injected under pressure of argon into a 3 liter autoclave heated to 65° C. and containing 930 g propylene. After 5 hours polymerization, 200 g polymer are isolated corresponding to a yield of 99,000 g/g Ti.

The extraction with boiling n-heptane gives a residue of 84.5%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 4.14 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 57

4.6515 g anhydrous MgCl₂, 4.6734 g B₂ O₃ dried in vacuo at 450° C. and 2.5196 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled for 120 hours following the method described in example 1.

0.0508 g of the so obtained mixture (containing 2.99% by weight titanium) are suspended in a solution previously prepared by reacting for 10 minutes, in 50 ml n-heptane, 0.665 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.430 g ethyl alpha-naphthoate, and the resulting suspension is injected into a 2 liter autoclave heated to 65° C. and containing 2 liters hydrogen and 500 g propylene.

After 5 hours polymerization, 52 g polymer are obtained corresponding to a yield of 34,500 g polymer/g titanium employed. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gives a residue of 85.3%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 1.83 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 58

The example 57 is repeated employing in this run 0.0499 g of the catalyst obtained by co-milling MgCl₂, B₂ O₃ and TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ and substituting the ethyl alpha naphthoate by 0.314 g ethyl p-methylbenzoate.

85 g polymer are obtained corresponding to a yield of 57,000 g polymer/g titanium employed.

The residue of the extraction with boiling n-heptane is 85%.

The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 2.75 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 59

4.2770 g anhydrous MgCl₂, 4.3553 g B₂ O₃ dried in vacuo at 450° C. and 2.2718 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled for 110 hours as described in example 1.

0.0673 g of the so obtained product (containing 2.72% by weight titanium) are suspended in a solution prepared by reacting for 10 minutes, in 50 ml n-heptane, 0.80 g of the compound (C₂ H₅)₂ Al--N(C₄ H₉)--Al(C₂ H₅)₂ and 0.105 g ethyl p-methoxy benzoate, and the resulting suspension is injected into a 2 liter autoclave heated to 65° C. and containing 1.3 liter hydrogen and 500 g propylene.

After 5 hours polymerization 117 g polymer are obtained corresponding to a yield of 64,000 g polymer/g titanium employed. The residue of the extraction with boiling n-heptane is 88%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 2.62 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 60

11.0652 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.826 g of the complex TiCl₄.C₆ H₅ COOC₂ H₅ are milled for 16 hours as described in example 1. 0.3168 g of the so obtained product (containing 0.995% by weight titanium) are suspended in a solution prepared by reacting, in 50 ml n-heptane, 0.695 g Al(i-C₄ H₉)₃ and 0.1673 g ethyl benzoate, and the resulting suspension is injected into a 3 liter autoclave heated to 65° C. and containing 890 g propylene.

After 5 hours polymerization 250 g polymer are obtained corresponding to a yield of 79,000 g polymer/g titanium employed. The residue of the extraction with boiling n-heptane is 87.5%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 3.94 dl/g.

EXAMPLE 61

9.1156 g of a mixture of equal parts of anhydrous MgCl₂ and B₂ O₃ dried in vacuo at 450° C., previously milled for 120 hours in a ball mill, are co-milled with 2.0345 g of the 1:1 molar complex TiCl₄.CH₃ CH₂ COOC₂ H₅ in the same conditions described in example 1, in a nitrogen atmosphere for 110 hours.

0.054 g of the so obtained product (containing 3% by weight titanium) are suspended in a solution previously prepared by reacting for 5 minutes, in 50 ml n-heptane, 0.665 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.177 g ethyl propionate and the resulting suspension is injected into a 2 liter autoclave heated to 65° C. and containing 2 liters hydrogen and 500 g propylene.

After 5 hours the polymerization is stopped and 23 g polymer are separated corresponding to a yield of 14,200 g polymer/g titanium employed. The extraction with boiling n-heptane gives a residue of 65%. The inherent viscosity of the crude polymer is 1.74 dl/g.

EXAMPLES 62 to 71

In table 2 some examples of propylene polymerization are reported carried out in the same conditions as described in example 2 substituting the electron-donor compounds listed in the table for the ethyl benzoate.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                                           Residue                           Electron-donor compound                                                                          support-               Yield                                                                              in boil-                          used in 1:1 molar com-                                                                       Ti %                                                                               ed cat.                                                                               Electron-donor                                                                           B/Al mol-                                                                            g poly-                                                                            ing n-                   Example                                                                             MgCl.sub.2                                                                         plexes with ToCl.sub.4                                                                       weight                                                                             component                                                                             compound complex-                                                                        ar ra-                                                                               mer/g                                                                              heptane                                                                              η in           No   g   g             .sup.(a)                                                                           .sup.(b) g                                                                            ed with AlEt.sub.3                                                                       tio   Ti  %     dl/g               __________________________________________________________________________     62   7.5 0.65 ethyl cyclohexan-                                                                       1.1 0.1    ethylcyclohexan-                                                                         0.5   139,000                                                                            75                                oate                     oate                                         63   9.68                                                                               1.04 ethyl βnaphthoate                                                                  1.26                                                                               0.1203 ethyl βnaphtho-                                                                     0.35  59,300                                                                             89.7  4.27                                                 ate                                          64   10.49                                                                              0.70 ethyl p-methyl-                                                                         0.88                                                                               0.1686 ethyl p-methyl-                                                                          0.33  152,600                                                                            85.5  3.62                        benzoate                 benzoate                                     65   8.75                                                                               0.65 sec-butyl p-methyoxy                                                                    0.89                                                                               0.0831 sec-butyl p-me-                                                                          0.80  135,300                                                                            85.   2.98                        benzoate                 thoxybenzoate                                66   11.39                                                                              0.82 ethyl p-methoxy ben-                                                                    0.87                                                                               0.1985 dibutyl-1,3-di-                                                                          0.40  177,000                                                                            80.1  3.97                        zoate                    oxolane-4,5-di-                                                                carboxylate                                  67   11.54                                                                              0.83 ethyl p-n-butoxy-                                                                        0.805                                                                             0.1766 ethyl p-n-butoxy                                                                         0.40  173,300                                                                            86.2  4.14                        benzoate                 benzoate                                     68   9.30                                                                               0.66 ethyl pivalate                                                                          1.02                                                                               0.0938 ethyl pivalate                                                                           0.40  320,000                                                                            55                       69   10.08                                                                              1.23 ethyl o-methylben-                                                                      1.42                                                                               0.1753 ethyl o-methyl                                                                           0.30   83,000                                                                            87.1  3.78                        zoate.sup.(c)            benzoate                                     70   8.13                                                                               1.11 isobutyl benzoate.sup.(c)                                                               1.14                                                                               0.1580 isobutylbenzoate                                                                         0.30   97,200                                                                            85    3.76               71   8.38                                                                               0.74 ethyl o-chloroben-                                                                      0.95                                                                               0.1439 ethyl-o-chloro-                                                                          0.30   60,800                                                                            89.7  3.97                        zoate                    benzoate                                     __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.(a) Determined by analysis.                                               .sup.(b) Milled for 16 hours.                                                  .sup.(c) Molar ratio TiCl.sub.4 :electron-donor 1:2.                     

EXAMPLE 72

9.6 g anhydrous MgCl₂ and 0.405 g TiCl₄ are milled for 16 hours as described in example 1.

0.1307 g of the thus obtained product are suspended in the solution of 0.665 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ and 0.272 g ethyl-N,N-diethyl-carbamate in 50 cm³ n-heptane. The solution was prepared at room temperature and maintained at this temperature for 10'.

The thus obtained suspension is injected under pressure of dry argon into a stainless steel autoclave having a 2 liter capacity, provided with a stirrer heated to a temperature of 65° C. and containing 500 g propylene.

After 5 hours polymerization 225 g polymer are obtained, which correspond to a yield of 173,000 g/g Ti.

The residue to the extraction with boiling n-heptane was 60%.

EXAMPLE 73

A 1:1 by weight mixture of anhydrous MgCl₂, milled for 50 hours in a vibrating mill up to a surface area of 22 m² /g, and B₂ O₃ dried in vacuo at 450° C. was co-milled in a vibrating mill for 24 hours with the complex TiCl₄ /ethylbenzoate used in an amount corresponding to a Ti metal content in the co-milled product=3% by weight.

The surface area of the co-milled product was 2.8 m² /g.

The X rays spectrum of the co-milled product showed a broadening of the most intense diffraction lines characteristic of the normal non-activated MgCl₂.

0.5 g of the thus obtained product was suspended in a solution of 12 g Al(C₂ H₅)₃ in 500 cm³ anhydrous n-heptane containing ethyl-p-methoxy benzoate in an amount corresponding to a volume ratio with the Al-triethyl of 0.41 to 1.

The suspension is injected into a stainless steel autoclave having capacity of 30 l provided with a stirrer heated to 65° C. and containing 10 kg of propylene and 5 l of hydrogen measured at normal conditions.

After 5 hours polymerization the yield in polypropylene amounted to 192,000 g/g Ti. The extraction with boiling n-heptane give a residue of 90%. 

What we claim is:
 1. Process for the stereoregular polymerization of alpha-olefins of the formula CH₂ ═CHR wherein R is an alkyl radical having 1-6 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof with ethylene, which process comprises polymerizing the olefins in contact with a catalyst the starting components of which comprise(a) an addition and/or substitution reaction product of an electron-donor compound (or Lewis base) selected from the group consisting of esters of the oxygenated organic and inorganic acids with an Al-trialkyl compound or with an Al-alkyl compound containing two or more Al atoms linked together through an oxygen or a nitrogen atom, the reaction product (a) being characterized in that the amount of Al-alkyl compound present as addition compound with the electron-donor compound range from 0.01 to 1 mole per mole of the starting Al compound and in that the Al-compound present as substitution compound ranges from 0.01 to 0.9 moles per mole of the starting Al-compound; and (b) the product obtained by contacting a Ti compound selected from the group consisting of the halogenated bi-, tri-, and tetravalent Ti compounds and complexes of said Ti compounds with an electron-donor compound, with a support comprising an anhydrous bihalide of Mg or Mn and from 30% to 90% by weight of a co-support which is an anhydrous compound of an element belonging to Groups I to IV of the Mendelyeev Periodic Table and selected from the group consisting of LiCl, CaCO₃, CaCl₂, SrCl₂, BaCl₂, Na₂ SO₄, Na₂ CO₃, Na₂ B₄ O₇, Ca₃ (PO₄)₂, CaSO₄, BaCO₃, Al₂ (SO₄)₃, B₂ O₃, Al₂ O₃, and SiO₂, component (b) being characterized in that its X-rays powder spectrum does not show the most intense diffraction lines as they appear in the X-rays powder spectrum of normal non-activated Mg or Mn bihalides, component (b) being further characterized in that the Ti compound present therein, expressed as Ti metal, is less than 0.3 g atom per mole of the total amount of the electron-donor compound present in a combined form in the catalyst and in that the Al/Ti molar ratio is comprised between 10 and 1,000.
 2. The process of claim 1, in which the co-support is B₂ O₃.
 3. The process of claim 1, in which the co-support is Na₂ SO₄.
 4. The process of claim 1, in which the co-support is CaCo₃.
 5. The process of claim 1, in which the co-support is CaSO₄.
 6. The process of claim 1, in which the co-support is Na₂ CO₃.
 7. The process of claim 1, in which component (a) of the catalyst is an addition reaction product of an Al-trialkyl with the electron-donor compound.
 8. The process of claim 1, in which the amount of Ti in the catalyst, expressed as Ti metal, is from 0.1% to 10% by weight.
 9. The process of claim 1, in which the Ti compound is present in the catalyst in an amount, expressed as Ti metal, of less than 0.1 g-atom per mole of the total amount of electron-donor compound present in the catalyst.
 10. The process of claim 1, in which the Ti compound is present in the catalyst in an amount, expressed as Ti metal, of from 0.005 to 0.05 g-atom per mole of the total amount of electron-donor compound present in the catalyst.
 11. The process of claim 1, in which the alpha-olefin is propylene and is polymerized in the liquid phase in the absence of an inert diluent other than the amount of diluent used to prepare the catalyst-forming components.
 12. The process of claim 1, in which the alpha-olefin is propylene and polymerized in the presence of hydrogen as a regulator of the molecular weight of the polymer produced.
 13. The process of claim 1, in which the essential constituent of the support is MgCl₂.
 14. The process of claim 1, in which the essential constituent of the support is MgBr₂.
 15. The process of claim 1, in which the essential constituent of the support is MnCl₂.
 16. The process of claim 1, in which the essential constituent of the support is MnBr₂.
 17. The process of claim 1, in which the Ti compound is TiCl₄.
 18. The process of claim 1, in which the Ti compound is TiCl₃. 